Moving away from psychiatric diagnoses, one post at a time

Spark of madness

Robin Williams’ death is everywhere today, I was aware of it before I even got out of bed (thanks facebook). It’s been on my mind as to whether or not I would post something about it. I have really mixed feelings about the general furore that follows the death of a celebrity, whether accidental or in this case, probably not so much. On the one hand, depression is once again in the media, and that’s no bad thing. But on the other – why does it take the death of a celebrity to make that happen? People are dying by suicide every single day. Mental ill health will affect 1 in 3 people over the course of their lifetime, that’s a higher rate than cancer. But still, still, it takes something like this for it to be ok to talk about it. In fact, it almost seems obligatory to talk about it today.

Some days, I would give anything to be rid of my little spark of madness. Others, I’m grateful for it. Some days, I want to bang my head against a wall in frustration at the fact that a change in attitude towards mental illness is happening so painfully slowly. Then there are days like today when there are so many mixed feelings – a pang of sadness that someone else has thought suicide was the only option, recognition for what he must have been feeling, relief that I didn’t go down that road, fear that I may someday feel that badly again, hope that the lid is being further lifted on a difficult conversation, frustration that for the next couple of days it will be ok to admit to having depression or another mental illness, but once the dust settles, the cloak of silence will come back down and once more, mental health, or lack thereof, will be off the agenda.

There’s a depression bandwagon rolling today. I appreciate the irony of my lamenting that fact while at the same time writing about it, but it’s what’s on my mind. The difference for me though, as well as the countless others who have experienced mental illness, is that our issues won’t stop when the media looks away. Our need for help won’t go away just because it’s not the subject of the moment. This is a conversation that needs to continue, long term.

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This article has 3 Comments

You are right, Fiona. We know so many "ordinary" people who have been in this position, but it's the celebrity we hear of. It's very sad for his family, and fans, but I too, like you "fear that I may someday feel that badly again". When I am good I feel amazing, and when I feel that badly again it's horrible. And that monkey is always on your back, celebrity or not.

Very well said Fi and so very true. I have been feeling similarly all day. So sad for his family and friends that he has passed but I am angry (if that is the right word…) that the media make so much of it today and yet will forget all about it and the reality that depression and suicide is a daily battle for so many. Hewas a man who brought joy and laughter to millions in his life, hhere's to hoping that his death brings not only sadness, but perhaps an opening for a bit more discussion and understanding about mental health x